for
immediate release
February 24, 2005
N
E W S R E L E A S E
Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris has recognized Deputy Rodney Owens and Communications Officer Antoine Lewis as his Employees of the Year for 2004.
Deputy
Owens, as described by his supervisor, “has not slowed down for a moment”
since joining the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office two years ago. His
supervisor also noted “his quickly acquired law enforcement knowledge,
understanding, humbleness, and compassion.” Assigned to a patrol shift on
Okaloosa Island, Deputy Owens has developed a reputation for problem-solving
that has helped reduce complaints of offense behavior by transients. Deputy
Owens has made traffic safety a priority, effecting 65 DUI arrests during 2004,
which accounted for nearly ten percent of the total for the entire Okaloosa
County Sheriff’s Office.
Communications Officer Lewis, who has been with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office since December, 2000, was promoted to Swing Shift Supervisor in July, 2004. Writes his supervisor, “Antoine’s unique ability to multi-task allows him to work numerous problems simultaneously; do them quickly, and do them right the first time. This has drawn praise from his co-workers, field supervisors, and Deputies… Antoine’s professionalism promotes unity.” Antoine continues to serve the citizens during his off-duty hours as an active member of the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary.
Sheriff Charlie Morris initiated a regular program of recognition for outstanding employees when he took office in January, 1997. Information and photographs of current and previous honorees may be viewed on the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office web page at www.sheriff-okaloosa.org.
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for more information contact Rick Hord, Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420